CNU-Medellin gets first LET topnotcher

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Normal University extension in Medellin town in northern Cebu pulled off a first by producing its very first topnotcher since the campus opened in 2009.

From finishing with no Latin honors to bagging third place in June 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) - Elementary Level, a 23-year-old graduate from San Remigio town became the first-ever topnotcher of CNU-Medellin extension campus.

The last time Jessa Mae Pinote received an accolade was from her elementary school days, she told The Freeman.

Years later, her name graced the list among the top ten board passers on Thursday, August 4.

Pinote finished her Bachelor of Elementary Education major in General Education at CNU-Medellin extension campus in 2019, days before the entire country experienced a total lockdown brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pinote became the first board topnotcher of CNU-Medellin campus since its establishment in 2009.

All Pinote expected was just to pass the licensure exam in her first attempt, which was conducted on June 26, upon seeing her name at the top, she was in disbelief and thought instead that it was someone else.

Pinote, along with three other graduates from Cebu finished at top 10 — Blanche Sanchez Francisco from University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue at 5th place and Jela Mae Amit Capuyan from CNU at 7th in the LET Secondary Level.

"Wa jud ko magdahum, wa pa ko katoo pag una. Miana pa gani ko sa akong amega pangitaa kuno akong name sa list of passers kay basin di na ako, like unexpected gyud kaayo," she said.

Pinote was the younger daughter of two children of Carmen Pinote, a housewife, and Marcial Lopez, a construction worker.

Aside from coping with the family’s financial problem, Pinote expressed her struggle with going back-and-forth from her hometown to the campus for four hours every day.

"Momata ko og sayo kay naay 7 a.m. class nya layo baya amoa sa eskwelahan and muoli mi alas 8 p.m. sa gabie usahay kay naa mi klase sa ICT na 8 p.m. kutob nya magdinaganay kay wa nay masakyan," she said.

Pinote did not take her license exam after she graduated because she wanted to pursue the tutoring job right then.

She was not able to pay for a review center so she studied on her own.

When asked how she manifested her place at the top, she said it was by not pushing herself to study when her body felt tired.

"Mag-review ko if dili kaayo ko kapoy pero og kapoy jud gane kaayo di nalang sad ko mag-review kay di man sad masud sa utok gihapon," she confessed.

Motivated by her parents and people who exerted efforts to help her, Pinote aimed not to disappoint them so she strived to pass the exam.

Now living her dream and once more hoped to finally teach with her license profession, Pinot relayed a message to aspiring teachers and board takers.

"Follow your heart and always believe in yourself and surrender everything to God. Ang Ginoo ra juy nasayud ug unsay plano Niya para sa imoha, never give up because at the end of the tunnel there's always light, laban lang gyud ta ane only God knows what our future is," Pinote said. —GMR (FREEMAN)